Is Columbus or Vandalia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vandalia is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 42/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,939 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 37% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Vandalia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 61.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Vandalia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, OH
Vandalia, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Vandalia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,088.3 | 1,938.9 | +1,149.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 435.0 | 168.3 | +266.7 |
| Murder Rate | 12.2 | 0.0 | +12.2 |
| Rape Rate | 124.2 | 60.6 | +63.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 87.7 | 6.7 | +81.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.7 | 101.0 | +109.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,653.4 | 1,770.6 | +882.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 404.5 | 242.4 | +162.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,706.1 | 1,205.1 | +501.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 542.8 | 323.2 | +219.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Vandalia safer?
Vandalia is safer with a total crime rate of 1,939 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 435.0 per 100K while Vandalia has 168.3. Vandalia has lower violent crime.
About Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Vandalia, OH
Vandalia, Ohio, is a small city in Montgomery County, part of the Dayton metropolitan area. It's known for hosting the annual Ohio State Trapshooting Tournament. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 14,854, Vandalia has a total crime rate of 1,938.9 per 100,000 residents.